Careers Guidance Information

School Mission Statement

To inspire in students a passion for lifelong learning; to work in partnerships to provide an exciting, engaging and enjoyable experience. To support high standards of achievement in a happy and secure environment.

Careers Staff at Aylesford School:

Mrs Jordan is based in the Library.

Email:              jordan.a@aylesfordschool.org.uk

Telephone:      01926 747100

Address:        Aylesford School Warwick

                      Tapping Way

                      Warwick

                      CV34 6XR

Careers Programme at Aylesford School

Careers Plan 2022-23

Aylesford School is committed to meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks to ensure that all of our students benefit from a high quality careers programme. 

The Gatsby Benchmarks:

1) A stable careers programme

An embedded programme of careers education and guidance that is known and understood by pupils, parents, teachers, governors and employers.

2) Learning from career and labour market information

Every student, and their parents, should have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. They will have the support of an informed adviser to make the best use of the available information.

3) Addressing the needs of each pupil

Students have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support should be tailored to the needs of each pupil. The careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout.

4) Linking curriculum learning to careers

All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers. STEM subject teachers should highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths.

5) Encounters with employers and employees

Every student should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This could be through a range of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes.

6) Experiences of workplaces

Every student should have first- hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and / or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities and to expand their networks.

7) Encounters with further and higher education

All students should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace.

8) Personal guidance

Every student should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a career adviser, who could be internal (a member of staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These opportunities should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. They should be expected for all pupils but should be timed to meet their individual needs.

Careers Education at Aylesford School:

Careers education takes place during Year Periods when the timetable is collapsed across all years. These sessions start in Year 7 and build up in terms of allocated time as students’ progress through the year groups. These sessions include:-

• General Careers information
• Making decisions e.g. option choices
• Preparation for future jobs
• Awareness of skills
• Financial capability
• Mock applications and interviews (with local employers)
• Enterprise skills

Extra time is spent during assembly, tutor time and Home-Link evenings at key points of transition i.e. Year 9 into 10, Year 11 into 12 and Year 13 and beyond. Many of these opportunities allow adults from a variety of career backgrounds to work with and inspire our students. We also invite ex-students to return and talk about their experiences. We recognise the importance of real-life contacts within the world of work.

All students have access to Unifrog, an online platform for pupils to find out about the different post-16 and post-18 opportunities, from further and higher education to apprenticeships and employment.

Mock interviews with a variety of employers and Governors are offered to all Year 11 students and any Sixth Former who need additional support and guidance. Prior to this, students have the opportunity to write a CV and letter of application as well as preparing for interview.

Sixth Form students are supported in making decisions concerning Higher or Further Education, or alternative routes such as apprenticeships or employment after Year 13. This support includes talks by outside speakers, apprenticeship fairs and attendance at selected, appropriate, special events.

Teaching staff will also support students with appropriate advice, information and guidance when asked as Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance at Aylesford School is a whole school approach. Links with local and national employers and other organisations such as Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Skills for Employment also enhance the careers information, advice and guidance which is available to the students.

Students are also offered personalised careers advice and guidance during a Careers Interview, to help them make the best choices.

Measuring and assessing the impact of the Careers Programme:

At the end of the academic year we track the destinations of our school leavers and report NEETs (the students who are not in education, employment or training).

Each term we complete the Compass Audit to monitor our progress against each of the Gatsby Benchmarks and identify our areas of strength as well as areas for development.

Students are asked to review and feedback on the Careers Programme at the end of the academic year so that areas of development can be identified.  Students are also asked to provide feedback on specific events, such as Enterprise Days, to inform future planning and improve future events.

Resources for Students:

www.unifrog.orgwww.startprofile.comwww.prospects.ac.uk/www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeshipwww.ucas.comwww.whatuni.comwww.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.ukwww.notgoingtouni.co.ukhttps://www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login

Resources for Parents:

www.parentalguidance.org.uk/www.careermap.co.uk/careermag-parentswww.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk/advice/parents

Resources for Teachers:

www.careersandenterprise.co.ukwww.nationalcareersweek.com/

Labour Market Information:

Labour Market Information - Coventry and Warwickshire LEPLMI Coventry Warwickshire 2020

Labour Market Information 2023 Parent and Student Guide

The information on this page will be reviewed in July 2023